The Captain a breeding success for the Rutter family

19 March 2026

BY MICHAEL DUMESNY

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New South Wales pacer Captains Knock is the name on everyone’s lips this week.

On Friday night at Penrith, the stallion will be aiming to become the first horse to capture the $1million Bonus, an incentive that was introduced last season as part of HRNSW’s revamped TAB Carnival Of Cups program.

Champion Sydney pacer Swayzee was the first to chase the prize in 2025 and went frightfully close to securing the bonus, winning four of the five Cup races on the circuit.

Already assured a $500,000 purse, Captains Knock was set an optimistic path back in November where he claimed the first leg, the Bidgee Cup at Wagga.

That was followed by Cup wins at Newcastle, Bathurst, and Albury, features he won with consummate ease.

‘Joey’ as he is affectionately known is raced by the Triple Play Syndicate, headed by former Canberra Raiders Captain Jarrod Croker, has taken his connections on a wonderful ride over the past four years but there is one man behind the scenes who is enjoying the success just as much - that being the horse’s breeder John Rutter.

Rutter along with his wife Kristen are breeders from the Hunter Valley who took their then beautiful booming colt to Sydney’s APG yearling sale in 2021, and he caught the eye of Brad Hewitt who secured him for $36,000.

“We are loving this ride just as much as his owners,” Rutter explained.

“He is a great horse, and it is wonderful that Brad and connections have allowed us to be by their side to enjoy the wins.

“I am only a small-time breeder so to produce a horse that is chasing such a huge bonus is just crazy.”

To add to his breeding success, Rutter’s mare Scarlett Finn, the mother of Captains Knock was named Broodmare of the Year at the recent New South Wales Breeders Association Awards night.

“That was a massive thrill,” he said.

“I purchased the mare two seasons before Captains Knock was born just wanting to improve my breeding stock.

“She was a handy race mare herself and had one racing well at the time.

“I am glad we took the punt with her and have to make mention of Darren Reay and his partner Emma for the help they have given us.

“They get our mares in foal and look after them, without their guidance we would not be able to do it.”